Retail Customer Information - How It All Works

At Pleasant Valley, we do our very best everyday to build homes that fulfill our homebuyers dreams, whether it be a starter home for a newlywed couple, a spacious home for a growing family, a luxurious retirement home, or a dream home. Many homebuyers, however, are tentative, cautious, and uncertain about the process, and rightfully so. After all, most people only build a few homes in their entire life- some only one. We've built quite a few over a quarter of a century and, hopefully, the experience we've gained might help to alleviate some of your apprehension or clear up your questions.

Do Your Homework

When it comes to choosing a manufacturer we consider it extremely important for homebuyers to educate themselves about the different products, specifications, nuances, what can and cannot be done, and how manufacturers differentiate themselves from one another. You wouldn’t buy a vehicle or a laptop without a reasonably intimate knowledge of its specifications, and building a home isn’t any different. While it may not be on the top of your list of things to do, we cannot overstate the importance of learning the significance of one set of construction specifications versus another, or the abilities of one manufacturer versus those of another, and so on.

The Home-Building Process

The following sample schedule can provide you with an idea of what to expect when building a modular home. As you might expect, much of what needs to be done is very similar to a site-built home, the only real difference being that you must have your options selected and finalized before ordering the home. Please keep in mind, however, that this is by no means an all-inclusive schedule. Your specific home-building process may entail even more requirements, or—if you’re lucky—less.

While building a modular home is typically completed faster than a comparable site-built home, you can still expect the entire process to take anywhere from four to six months from the point of the issuance of the building permit. There, are, however, numerous variables that can affect the construction time, so it would be prudent to have extra time built into any construction schedule.

As you will see, just about any construction project involves seemingly endless steps and challenges, including the acquisition of numerous permits & inspections to the attention to detail incumbent in quality home construction. It is partly for this reason that Pleasant Valley Homes- the modular manufacturer- relies on hundreds of highly-qualified builders and retailers to assist potential homebuyers with the process. Homebuyers should work closely with their builder/retailer to foster a good relationship, open communication about what each party's responsibilities are, etc. Keep in mind that Pleasant Valley only manufactures the modules of your home and provides absolutely no support for any of the dozens of steps listed here. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to drop us an email or give us a call.

  1. Land Acquisition/Lot Development
    1. Purchase, Clear Titled (if not already owned)
    2. Check Accessibility to Modular Unit
    3. Perk/Probe Test
    4. Land Surveys
  2. Forms/Procedures/Permits
    1. Select Model, Options
    2. Develop and Finalize Prints, Plans, Options, Specs, etc.
    3. Contacts Signed/Issue Deposit
    4. Sign-Off on Plans & Specs
    5. Secure Financing
    6. Set Target Occupancy Date/Establish Construction Schedule
    7. Obtain and Post Permits
      1. Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Road/Culvert
    8. Apply for Electrical/Gas Service
    9. Site Survey (stake out)
  3. Foundation, Excavation, and SiteWork
    1. OrderSteel Beams/Columns
    2. Deliver Dumpster & Port-A-Potty
    3. Site Preparation, Remove Obstacles
    4. Layout & Excavation
    5. Form & Pour Footings, Inspect
    6. InstallFooting Drains & Basement Stone
    7. Install Under-Slab Utilities
    8. Block Delivery/Concrete Forms & Pouring/Superior Wall Set
    9. Apply Foundation Damp-Proofing & Vapor Barrier
    10. Install Anchor Clips & Bolts, Sill Plate, and Sealer
    11. Install Sump Pump Crock and Rough Plumbing
    12. Install Basement Windows
    13. Prep Opening in Floor for Post/Support Columns
    14. Pour Basement Floor
  4. Site Preparation
    1. Foundation and Footings Complete
    2. Foundation Square & Level and Passed Inspection
    3. Obstacles for Crane & Modular Units Removed
    4. Access Route Planned
    5. Crane Pad Ready & Firm
    6. Set Crew & Crane Schedules Confirmed
    7. Bulldozer & Operator Scheduled & Confirmed
    8. Utility Crews Have Been Scheduled for Turn-On/Turn-Off (if applicable)
    9. Weather Forecast for Set Day Appears Adequate
  5. Modular HomeSet
    1. Modules Delivered & Received
    2. Unwrap Modules
    3. Check Inventory of Ship Loose Items
    4. Mark Mating Lines on the Foundation
    5. Determine Pick-Points on Modules, Prepare for Crane Lifting
    6. Module Set
    7. Fasten and Check Module
    8. Prepare Mating Surfaces
    9. Prepare Wires, Pipes, Ducts, Stairs
    10. Post/Column Supports Set & Installed
    11. Stairs to Basement Installed
    12. Lift Jointed Roof Sections w/ Crane
    13. Lift Dormers & Other Roof Elements
    14. Make Home Weather-Tight and Secure
  6. Exterior Finishing
    1. Backfill
    2. Complete Siding, Masonry, and Other Exterior Work
    3. Prime, Paint, or Stain Exterior Surfaces
    4. Install Shutters, Gutters, Chimney Stacks, etc.
    5. Construct Garages, Decks, Porches, etc.
  7. Interior Electrical
    1. Install Meter Box, Service Entrance
    2. Connect Modular Units w/ Male & Female Connectors
    3. Electrical Inspection
  8. Plumbing Connections
    1. Drill & Install Well & Pump or Hook Up to Public Utilities
    2. Install/Inspect Septic & Drainage Systems of Hook-Up to Public Systems
    3. Install Supply/Drain Lines & Connect to Stubs
    4. Install Gas Pipes to Range/Dryer/Water Heater (when applicable)
    5. Plumbing Inspection
  9. HVAC
    1. Install/Connect A/C System
    2. Install Gas/Oil Tank and Line to System (when applicable)
    3. Install Electric Water Heater and Connect to Breaker Box
    4. Connect Chimney Flue into Furnace
    5. Connect Electric Baseboard Heat into Circuits (when applicable)
    6. Vent Dryer
    7. Mechanical Inspection
  10. Interior Finishing
    1. Hang, Spackle, Sand, & Paint Unfinished Drywall
    2. Paint Interior Walls
    3. Finish Interior Trim and Adjust Interior Doors
    4. Install or Seam Linoleum, Carpet & Pad, Hardwood, Laminate, Ceramic Tile
    5. Clean
  11. Exterior Final Finish
    1. Complete Garage Doors, Steps, Service Walks, etc.
    2. Install Exterior Lights & Bulbs
    3. Finish Grading
    4. Landscaping
  12. Closing
    1. Punch List
    2. Final Clean Up – Remove Dumpsters & Port-A-Potty
    3. Walk Through w/ Builder
    4. Final Building Inspection
    5. Occupancy Permit
    6. Owner Occupancy

How Does A Modular Home Differ From A Manufactured Home?

Many people are unfamiliar with the difference between modular homes and manufactured homes. They differ in three primary aspects.

First, manufactured homes are built to the HUD {Housing & Urban Development} Code. This is a federally-mandated building code, which is applied with relatively consistent building standards throughout the nation. Modular homes, on the other hand, are built to the IRC {International Residential Code}, BOCA, and other building codes, all of which are shared by site-built homes. Modular homes are built to the same building codes as site-built homes and are treated as such by financial institutions, local municipalities, etc. You must apply for a building permit, follow all local regulations for construction, and retain an occupancy permit before you may move into your new modular home, just as you would with a typical site-built home.

Second, manufactured homes, in accordance with the HUD Code, are built on a steel chassis that will remain a part of the structure throughout the life of the home. This steel frame is actually the foundation for the manufactured home, as it is factory-built from the frame up. Conversely, a modular home is only transported on a temporary steel carrier. When the modules arrive at the building site, a crane sets the modules on the crawlspace or full foundation and the carriers are returned to the factory to carry future homes to building sites.

Lastly, modular homes are typically constructed with different standard specifications than manufactured homes. Following is a brief overview of the major differences.

· Pine Grove Manufactured Homes’ Standards:

· Pleasant Valley Modular Homes’ Standards:

A Pine Grove manufactured home can be made to look exactly like a similar Pleasant Valley modular home with the optional Developer Package. Moreover, for those home-builders seeking the convenience of a factory-completed heating system in a modular home, Pleasant Valley offers the optional Full House Package which includes all duct work and plumbing lines completed along with an optional down draft furnace.

In some instances a modular home or a manufactured home may be a clear choice, while in other instances it isn’t as easy. If you have any questions about which one may be a better fit for you, please do not hesitate to contact us via telephone or email.